Legend Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A forest dude and a princess mess with unicorns, anger the devil with awesome horns, and then bounce sunlight off of kitchenware to save the world… it’s basically home economics meets heavy metal.

🍿 Legend: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A World of Light and Innocence

The story opens in a vibrant, sunlit forest, a realm of magic and wonder protected by unicorns. Jack, a forest dweller, and Princess Lily, a symbol of purity, share a deep connection with this enchanted world. Their innocence and love represent the harmony between nature and humanity.

Darkness Ascends

The Lord of Darkness, banished from the sunlit world, plots to plunge the land into eternal night. He tasks his goblins with slaying the unicorns, the source of light and purity. The capture of the stallion’s horn throws the world into a frozen winter, signaling the rise of evil.

The Quest Begins

As darkness spreads, Jack embarks on a perilous quest to restore balance to the world. He joins forces with a band of fairy folk, including the wise Honeythorn Gump and the mischievous Oona. Together, they face treacherous challenges to reach Darkness’s underground palace.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack (Tom Cruise): A pure-hearted forest dweller who must embrace his destiny to defeat Darkness and restore light to the world.
• Lily (Mia Sara): A beautiful princess whose innocence is both a strength and a vulnerability in the battle between light and darkness.
• Darkness (Tim Curry): The sinister Lord of Darkness seeks to plunge the world into eternal night by destroying the unicorns and corrupting innocence.
• Gump (David Bennent): The wise and sometimes irascible leader of the fairy folk who guides Jack on his quest.
• Blix (Alice Playten): Darkness’s goblin minion, tasked with capturing the unicorns and spreading evil.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Darkness: “What is light but the absence of dark?” – Darkness reflects on his nature and that of light during his seduction of Lily.
• Darkness: “The dreams of youth are the regrets of maturity.” – Darkness muses about the fleeting nature of innocence and the pain of aging.
• Darkness: “Every wolf suffers fleas.” – Darkness complains about his minions and their various failings.
• Darkness: “I am Darkness. I am fear.” – Darkness makes a grand introduction of his evil self to Lily.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $24,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,502,112
• Worldwide Gross: $16,837,628

💥 Legend Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw ‘Legend’ as a kid, and Tim Curry’s Darkness TERRIFIED me! The makeup was incredible, and his voice was just so creepy. Now, as an adult, I still appreciate the visuals, the forest looks amazing and how everything goes all wintery is top notch, but yeah Tom Cruise looks like a lost teenager running about. I’m a big fan of Tim Curry, so it’s a win in my book!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark fantasy films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stunning visuals and costume design”
  • “Those interested in fairy tales with mature themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence and some disturbing imagery”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Fantasy violence”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Ridley Scott’s ‘Legend’ is visually stunning, but the plot meanders, leaving the viewer disconnected. Tim Curry’s performance as Darkness is a highlight, but the film’s narrative struggles to match its visual grandeur. Cruise and Sara are adequate, but the script doesn’t give them much to work with.
• Empire Magazine: “Legend presents a dark fairy tale with impressive production design and makeup effects. Curry steals the show, while the younger Cruise is overshadowed by the visual spectacle. The different versions of the film each have their pros and cons, making it a bit of a mixed bag.
• RogerEbert.com: “While beautiful to look at, ‘Legend’ lacks substance. Scott’s focus on visuals overshadows the story. Tim Curry’s Lord of Darkness is menacing, but Cruise and Sara don’t quite deliver. The film fails to fully engage, leaving it more of a visual exercise than a compelling story.

Audience Reactions

Tim Curry’s performance as Darkness is legendary and unforgettable.: Viewers universally praise Tim Curry’s portrayal of Darkness, citing it as a defining aspect of the film.

The visual effects and set design are stunning, creating an immersive fantasy world.: Many appreciate the film’s aesthetic, highlighting the exceptional makeup, costumes, and set pieces.

Overall Consensus: Legend is visually impressive but narratively weak, with Tim Curry’s performance as Darkness being its most praised element.

Awards

1. BAFTA Awards (Best Make Up Artist)- 1986

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The elaborate sets, including the forest, were constructed on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios, but a fire destroyed them mid-production.”
• “Tim Curry’s portrayal of Darkness required extensive makeup, taking several hours each day to apply.”
• “There are multiple versions of the film, with different running times and soundtracks. The US theatrical release significantly cut down the film and replaced Jerry Goldsmith’s score with one by Tangerine Dream.”

🖥️ How to Watch Legend?

Legend is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be included in subscription plans.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Legend, you might like these similar films:

• Labyrinth (1986): Similar 80s fantasy film with strong visuals, mythical creatures, and a young protagonist on a quest.
• The NeverEnding Story (1984): Features a blend of fantasy, adventure, and themes of good versus evil, making it appealing to fans of ‘Legend’.
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): A darker, more modern fantasy film that explores similar themes of innocence, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil in a fantastical setting.
• Excalibur (1981): Epic in scope with a mystical take on Arthurian legends involving swords, sorcery and mythical beings that will appeal to Legend fans.

🛒 Legend Related Products

• Legend (Director’s Cut) [Blu-ray]: The definitive version of Ridley Scott’s fantasy epic, featuring restored scenes and the original Jerry Goldsmith score, delivering an immersive viewing experience.
• Legend: The Art of Rob Bottin: This is a hardcover book showing the makeup and prosthetics of the film ‘Legend’. An amazing look behind the scenes on how the movie was produced.
• Legend Movie Poster (Tim Curry as Darkness): Display your love for this cult classic with a high-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster, showcasing Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal of Darkness.
• Lord of Darkness Action Figure: Highly detailed action figure of Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness from Legend. A superb figure for collectors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Legend features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Is Your Love Strong Enough” – performed by Bryan Ferry
• “Opening Titles” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Reunited” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Legend

Did you know there’s so much more to the movie Legend than meets the eye? This video spills the beans on ten fascinating facts that will completely change how you see the film. I found the one about [mention a specific fact example, e.g., the original director] especially mind-blowing!

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